KANSAS CITY, Mo., Jan. 14, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- FCStone Group, Inc. (Nasdaq:FCSX), a commodity risk management firm, today announced higher quarterly revenues and net income for its fiscal first quarter ending November 30, 2007.
First Quarter Results
Revenues, net of cost of commodities sold, a non-GAAP financial measure, were $73.7 million in the three months ended November 30, 2007, compared to $57.3 million in the prior year quarter, an increase of 29%. Net income increased to $13.1 million, or $0.45 per diluted share, for the first quarter, compared to $6.3 million, or $0.29 per diluted share, in the prior year quarter.
The following table presents results on a total and per share basis.
Financial Highlights
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
Three Months Ended
November 30,
-------------------------
2006 2007
-------- --------
NON GAAP-Revenues,
net of cost of commodities sold (1) $57,348 $73,729
GAAP-Income after minority interest
and before income tax expense (1) $10,114 $21,035
GAAP-Net income (2) $6,314 $13,085
Diluted weighted average shares
outstanding 21,807 28,776
Diluted earnings per share $0.29 $0.45
(1) Amounts for the three months ended November 30, 2007 include a
net amount of $2.9 million for special or one-time items, which
include a $0.5 million gain on the sale of Chicago Board Option
Exchange (CBOE) trading rights and a $2.4 million gain on the
sale of CME common stock.
(2) Amounts for the three months ended November 30, 2007 include
after tax effect of the items noted in (1) above of approximately
$1.8 million
The increase in first quarter revenues, net of cost of commodities sold, from the prior year first quarter, was primarily related to growth in exchange-traded volumes due to continued volatility in the grain and energy markets, higher over-the-counter (OTC) volumes primarily from energy, renewable fuels and Brazilian customers and higher interest income from additional investable segregated and OTC customer margin funds.
Costs and expenses, exclusive of cost of commodities sold, were higher compared to the prior year primarily due to higher volume-related costs of broker commissions and pit brokerage and clearing fees.
"We are very pleased with our first quarter results," said Pete Anderson, President and Chief Executive Officer of FCStone. "Our strong financial performance is a direct reflection of executing on our strategic initiatives in the core business segments of commodity risk management services as well as clearing and execution. Driven by the unprecedented volatility in the agriculture and energy markets, we anticipate continued demand for our services and products."
Operating Segments
FCStone's income (loss) before minority interest and income tax expense by segment and certain other data are outlined below for the periods noted.
Three Months Ended
November 30,
-----------------------
2006 2007
------- -------
Segment Data (1): ($ in thousands)
Income (loss) before minority interest
and income tax expense:
Commodity and Risk Management Services (1) $7,564 $17,163
Clearing and Execution Services 3,609 5,156
Financial Services 28 56
Grain Merchandising 1,120 --
Corporate (1,871) (1,308)
------- -------
$10,450 $21,067
======= =======
Other Data:
EBITDA (1) $12,789 $22,647
Exchange contract trading volume (in
millions) 13.4 23.3
Customer Segregated Assets, end of period $860,372 $1,079,235
(1) Amounts for the three months ended November 30, 2007 include the
special or one-time items of a $2.4 million gain from the sale
of CME stock and a $0.5 million gain on the sale of CBOE trading
rights included in the Commodity and Risk Management Services
segment.
In the Commodity and Risk Management Services segment, revenues, net of cost of commodities sold, were $37.3 million in the first quarter ended November 30, 2007, compared to $25.9 million in the prior year quarter, an increase of 44%. Segment income before minority interest and income tax for the first quarter 2008 increased to $17.2 million, compared to $7.6 million in the prior year quarter. Excluding one-time gains on the sale of exchange stock and trading rights, first quarter 2008 segment revenues, net of cost of commodities sold, were $34.4 million and segment income was $14.3 million.
For the Clearing and Execution Services segment, revenues, net of cost of commodities sold, were $33.0 million in the first quarter ended November 30, 2007, compared to $24.0 million in the prior year quarter, an increase of 38%. The segment made $5.2 million in the first quarter, compared to a net income of $3.6 million in the prior year quarter.
The Financial Services segment reported revenues, net of cost of commodities sold, of $2.0 million in the first quarter ended November 30, 2007, compared to $1.5 million in the prior year quarter, an increase of 28%. Segment income increased to $56 thousand for the first quarter, compared to $28 thousand in the prior year quarter.
As previously announced on June 1, 2007, the Company sold a portion of its stake in the Grain Merchandising segment business and now owns a 25% minority interest in this business instead of the previous 70% majority interest. Therefore, such business is no longer consolidated in the Company's financial statements but a 25% share of FGDI's income is included in the Corporate and Other segment and amounted to $1.3 million for the three months ended November 30, 2007.
"Our team has worked diligently towards achieving our strategic initiatives over the past several years," said Bill Dunaway, Chief Financial Officer. "We believe our revenue and earnings growth in 2007 are attributable to these efforts as well as the favorable industry environment in which we operate. As we move forward in 2008, we intend to build upon the momentum that we have generated while leveraging the industry dynamics that shape our current environment."
Business Outlook
Commenting on the Company's results and overall expectations, Anderson said, "The added financial capacity afforded by our successful IPO has allowed FCStone to accelerate several strategic growth initiatives. We continue to leverage our growing base of experienced consultants in both our traditional core markets as well as new industries such as renewable energy and international markets. Additionally, we have also demonstrated the ability to grow through acquisitions such as the recent transaction with Downes O'Neil, which significantly boosts our risk management presence in the dairy industry. Going forward, we will continue to evaluate potential acquisitions of firms that share the same interests and philosophies as FCStone."
Conference Call & Web Cast
A conference call will be held today, Monday, January 14, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. (ET). A live web cast of the conference call as well as a replay will be available online on the Company's corporate web site at http://www.fcstone.com. Participants can also access the call by dialing 800-218-0204 (within the United States and Canada), or 303-262-2140 (international callers). A replay of the call will be available approximately two hours after the call has ended and will be available until 11:59 p.m. (CT) on Monday, January 28, 2008. To access the replay, dial 800-405-2236 (within the United States and Canada), or 303-590-3000 (international callers) and enter the conference ID number: 11106090.
About FCStone Group, Inc.
FCStone Group, Inc., along with its affiliates, is an integrated commodity risk management company providing risk management consulting and transaction execution services to commercial commodity intermediaries, end-users and producers. The firm assists primarily middle market customers in optimizing their profit margins and mitigating exposure to commodity price risk. In addition to risk management consulting services, FCStone, LLC, operates one of the leading independent clearing and execution platforms for exchange-traded futures and options contracts. FCStone Group, Inc., serves more than 7,500 customers and in the 12 months ended November 30, 2007, executed 71.8 million derivative contracts in the exchange-traded and over-the-counter markets. The FCStone Group companies work in all the major commodity areas including agriculture, energy, renewable fuels, foods, forestry, and currency exchange. Headquartered in the Midwest, it has offices located throughout the world and is a clearing member of all major North American Futures exchanges. FCStone Group, Inc., trades on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol "FCSX."
Forward Looking Statements
This press release may include forward-looking statements regarding, among other things, our plans, strategies and prospects, both business and financial. All statements other than statements of current or historical fact contained in this press release are forward-looking statements. The words "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "should," "plan," "will," "may," "could," "intend," "estimate," "predict," "potential," "continue" or the negative of these terms and similar expressions, as they relate to FCStone Group, Inc., are intended to identify forward-looking statements.
We have based these forward-looking statements largely on our current expectations and projections about future events and financial trends that we believe may affect our financial condition, results of operations, business strategy and financial needs. They can be affected by inaccurate assumptions, including the risks, uncertainties and assumptions described in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the forward-looking statements in this press release may not occur and actual results could differ materially from those anticipated or implied in the forward-looking statements. When you consider these forward-looking statements, you should keep in mind these risk factors and other cautionary statements in this press release.
Our forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release. We undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Use of NON-GAAP Financial Information
In this press release we disclose "revenues, net of cost of commodities sold", and "EBITDA", both of which are non-GAAP financial measures. For purposes of Regulation G, a non-GAAP financial measure is a numerical measure of a company's performance, financial position, or cash flows that either excludes or includes amounts that are not normally excluded or included in the most directly comparable measure, calculated and prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United Sates (GAAP). Revenues, net of cost of commodities sold, is not a substitute for the GAAP measure of total revenues. EBITDA is not a substitute for the GAAP measure of net income or cash flows. Such non-GAAP financial measures are reconciled to its closest GAAP measure, in accordance with the Securities and Exchange Commission rules, and are included in the attached supplemental data. Management believes that these non-GAAP financial measures are useful to both management and its stockholders in their analysis of the company's business and operating performance.
FCSTONE GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited)
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
Three Months Ended
November 30,
----------------------------
2006 2007
-------- --------
Revenues:
Commissions and clearing fees $ 32,903 $ 39,382
Service, consulting and brokerage
fees 9,095 16,274
Interest 8,398 13,382
Other 492 4,444
Sales of commodities (1) 448,788 2,079
-------- --------
Total revenues 499,676 75,561
-------- --------
Costs and expenses:
Cost of commodities sold 442,328 1,832
Employee compensation and broker
commissions 11,791 13,256
Pit brokerage and clearing fees 14,864 20,785
Introducing broker commissions 7,369 7,328
Employee benefits and payroll taxes 2,647 3,017
Interest 2,239 1,256
Bad debt expense 1,420 75
Other expenses 6,568 6,945
-------- --------
Total costs and expenses 489,226 54,494
-------- --------
Income before income tax expense and
minority interest 10,450 21,067
Minority interest 336 32
-------- --------
Income after minority interest and
before income tax expense 10,114 21,035
Income tax expense 3,800 7,950
-------- --------
Net income $ 6,314 $ 13,085
======== ========
Basic shares outstanding 21,807 27,421
Diluted shares outstanding 21,807 28,776
Basic earnings per share $ 0.29 $ 0.48
Diluted earnings per share $ 0.29 $ 0.45
(1) On June 1, 2007 the Company sold a majority interest in FGDI, LLC,
which represented our entire Grain Merchandising segment.
Subsequent to such sale, the company retained a 25% interest in
FGDI, LLC which is now accounted for on the equity method and
included in other revenues. In the three months ended
November 30, 2006, sales of commodities, included $439.7 million
from FGDI, LLC.
FCSTONE GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
(in thousands, except share amounts)
November 30, November 30,
2006 2007
----------- -----------
(Unaudited)
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents
Unrestricted $ 90,053 $ 49,638
Segregated 14,250 14,146
Commodity deposits and receivables
Commodity exchanges and clearing
organizations--customer segregated 686,441 751,577
Proprietary commodity accounts 77,690 121,690
Receivables from customers, net of
allowance for doubtful accounts 16,868 9,487
----------- -----------
Total commodity deposits and
receivables 780,999 882,754
----------- -----------
Marketable securities, at fair value
--customer segregated and other 307,828 335,714
Counterparty deposits and trade
accounts receivable, net of allowance
for doubtful accounts 20,746 72,956
Open contracts receivable 120,219 207,613
Notes receivable and advances 49,291 116,342
Exchange memberships and stock 10,366 7,504
Plant, equipment, furniture, software
and improvements, net of accumulated
depreciation 4,763 20,614
Other assets 21,679 42,025
----------- -----------
Total assets $ 1,420,194 $ 1,749,306
=========== ===========
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Liabilities
Commodity and customer regulated
accounts payable $ 935,515 $ 1,031,167
Trade accounts payable and advances 115,145 173,683
Open contracts payable 121,101 200,944
Accrued expenses 38,632 42,697
Notes payable and repurchase
obligations 35,133 111,404
Subordinated debt 1,000 1,000
----------- -----------
Total liabilities 1,246,526 1,560,895
----------- -----------
Minority interest -- 2,309
Stockholders' equity:
Common stock, $0.0001 par value,
authorized 40,000,000 at August 31,
2007 and November 30, 2007,
respectively; issued and outstanding
27,416,567 and 27,455,743 shares
at August 31, 2007 and November
30, 2007, respectively 104,267 104,484
Additional paid-in capital 1,115 1,946
Treasury stock (376) (387)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (3,620) (5,016)
Retained earnings 72,282 85,075
----------- -----------
Total stockholders' equity 173,668 186,102
----------- -----------
Total liabilities and
stockholders' equity $ 1,420,194 $ 1,749,306
=========== ===========
FCSTONE GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
(in thousands)
Three Months Ended
November 30,
--------------------------
2006 2007
--------- ---------
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income $ 6,314 $ 13,085
Depreciation 436 356
Amortization of discount on note
receivable (14) (9)
Loss on cancellation of warrants -- 110
Gain on sale of exchange memberships
and stock -- (2,885)
Stock compensation -- 330
Equity in earnings of affiliates,
net of distributions 108 (991)
Minority interest 336 32
Excess tax benefit of stock option
exercises -- (501)
Change in commodity accounts
receivable/payable, marketable
securities and customer segregated
funds, net 2,813 (33,885)
Change in open contracts receivable/
payable, net (41,563) (7,551)
Increase in trade accounts receivable
and advances on grain (21,549) (693)
Increase in counterparty deposits and
accounts receivable (19,361) (51,517)
Increase in other assets (34,149) (15,656)
Increase in trade accounts payable
and advances 22,966 58,538
(Decrease) increase in accrued
expenses (768) 1,907
--------- ---------
Net cash used in operating
activities $ (84,431) (38,829)
--------- ---------
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchase of furniture, equipment,
software and improvements (683) (1,622)
Acquisition of majority interest in
subsidiary, net of cash acquired -- 88
Issuance of notes receivable, net (75,005) (67,042)
Proceeds from the sale of exchange
memberships and stock -- 3,402
Purchase of exchange memberships and
stock (1,350) --
--------- ---------
Net cash used in investing
activities (77,038) (65,174)
--------- ---------
Cash flows from financing activities:
Increase in checks written in excess
of bank balance 542 --
Proceeds from note payable, net 141,859 62,881
Proceeds from exercises of stock
options -- 217
Excess tax benefit of stock option
exercises -- 501
Treasury stock acquired -- (11)
Payments under capital lease (137) --
Proceeds from subordinated debt 1,000 --
Monies deposited in escrow (42) --
--------- ---------
Net cash provided by financing
activities 143,222 63,588
--------- ---------
Net decrease in cash and cash
equivalents - unrestricted (18,247) (40,415)
Cash and cash equivalents -
unrestricted - beginning of period 59,726 90,053
--------- ---------
Cash and cash equivalents -
unrestricted - end of period $ 41,479 $ 49,638
========= =========
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow
information:
Interest paid $ 1,550 $ 1,172
Income taxes paid $ 1,344 $ 2,742
========= =========
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
The following table reconciles revenues, net of cost of commodities
sold, with our total revenues.
Three Months Ended
November 30,
--------------------------
2006 2007
----------- ------------
(in thousands)
Revenues:
Commissions and clearing fees $ 32,903 $ 39,382
Service, consulting and brokerage fees 9,095 16,274
Interest 8,398 13,382
Other 492 4,444
Sales of commodities 448,788 2,079
--------- ---------
Total revenues 499,676 75,561
Less: Cost of commodities sold 442,328 1,832
--------- ---------
Revenues, net of cost of commodities sold $ 57,348 $ 73,729
========== =========
The following table reconciles EBITDA with our net income.
Three Months Ended
November 30,
--------------------------
2006 2007
----------- ------------
(in thousands)
Net income: $ 6,314 $ 13,085
Plus: interest expense 2,239 1,256
Plus: depreciation and amortization 436 356
Plus income tax expense 3,800 7,950
--------- ---------
EBITDA $ 12,789 $ 22,647
========= =========
Commodity and Risk Management Services Segment:
The following table provides the financial performance for this
segment.
Three Months Ended
November 30,
------------------------
2006 2007
--------- ---------
(in thousands)
Sales of commodities $ 2,542 $ --
Cost of commodities sold 2,460 --
--------- ---------
Gross profit on commodities sold 82 --
Commissions and clearing fees 12,918 11,897
Service, consulting and brokerage fees 9,217 16,350
Interest 3,646 6,116
Other (1) 55 2,913
--------- ---------
Revenues, net of cost of commodities sold 25,918 37,276
Costs and expenses:
Expenses (excluding interest expense) 18,225 20,110
Interest expense 129 3
--------- ---------
Total costs and expenses (excluding
cost of commodities sold) 18,354 20,113
--------- ---------
Segment income before minority
interest and income taxes $ 7,564 $ 17,163
========= =========
(1) Includes $2.9 million from the combined gain on the sale of CME
stock and CBOE trading rights.
Clearing and Execution Segment:
The following table provides the financial performance for this
segment.
Three Months Ended
November 30,
------------------------
2006 2007
--------- ---------
(in thousands)
Sales of commodities $ -- $ --
Cost of commodities sold -- --
--------- ---------
Gross profit on commodities sold -- --
Commissions and clearing fees 20,190 27,668
Service, consulting and brokerage fees -- --
Interest 3,831 5,370
Other -- --
--------- ---------
Revenues, net of cost of commodities sold 24,021 33,038
Costs and expenses:
Expenses (excluding interest expense) 20,274 27,861
Interest expense 138 21
--------- ---------
Total costs and expenses (excluding
cost of commodities sold) 20,412 27,882
--------- ---------
Segment income before minority
interest and income taxes $ 3,609 $ 5,156
========= =========
Financial Services Segment:
The following table provides the financial performance of this
segment.
Three Months Ended
November 30,
----------------------
2006 2007
-------- --------
(in thousands)
Sales of commodities $ 6,558 $ --
Cost of commodities sold 6,530 --
-------- --------
Gross profit on commodities sold 28 --
Commissions and clearing fees -- --
Service, consulting and brokerage fees -- --
Interest 1,187 1,582
Other 322 382
-------- --------
Revenue, net cost of commodities sold 1,537 1,964
Costs and expenses:
Expenses (excluding interest expense) 533 648
Interest expense 976 1,260
-------- --------
Total costs and expenses (excluding
cost of commodities sold) 1,509 1,908
-------- --------
Segment income (loss) before
minority interest and income taxes $ 28 $ 56
======== ========
Grain Merchandising Segment: (1)
The following table provides the financial performance of this
segment.
Three Months Ended
November 30,
----------------------
2006 2007
-------- --------
(in thousands)
Sales of commodities $439,688 $ --
Cost of commodities sold 433,512 --
-------- --------
Gross profit on commodities sold 6,176 --
Commissions and clearing fees -- --
Service, consulting and brokerage fees -- --
Interest 35 --
Other 145 --
-------- --------
Revenue, net cost of commodities sold 6,356 --
Costs and expenses:
Expenses (excluding interest expense) 4,030 --
Interest expense 1,206 --
-------- --------
Total costs and expenses (excluding
cost of commodities sold) 5,236 --
-------- --------
Segment income (loss) before
minority interest and income taxes $ 1,120 $ --
======== ========
(1) On June 1, 2007 the Company sold a majority interest in FGDI,
LLC, which represented our entire Grain Merchandising segment.
Subsequent to such sale, the company retained a 25% interest in
FGDI, LLC which is now accounted for on the equity method and
included in the Corporate and Other segment.
Quarterly Financial Highlights:
The following table provides summary financial highlights
for the quarters ended November 30, 2006 and 2007.
Three Months Ended
November 30,
-------------------------
2006 2007
-------- --------
($ in thousands)
NON GAAP-Revenues, net of cost of
commodities sold (1)(2) $57,348 $73,729
GAAP-Income after minority interest
and before income tax expense (2) $10,114 $21,035
GAAP-Net income (2) $6,314 $13,085
(1) The three months ended November 30, 2007 include $1.3 million of
revenues, net of cost of commodities sold from our 25% interest
in FGDI, LLC (formerly our Grain Merchandising segment). The
three months ended November 30th, 2006 included revenues, net of
the cost of commodities sold of 6.4 million from such Grain
Merchandising segment, which had been consolidated prior to the
sale of our majority interest in FGDI, LLC.
(2) The three months ended November 30, 2007 included a pre-tax gain
on the sale of CME stock of $2.4 million and a pre-tax gain of
$0.5 million on the sale of CBOE trading rights. Without these
items our first quarter income after minority interest and before
income tax expense would have been $18.1 million and Net Income
would have been $11.3 million.